The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Virginia Voters, taken two nights after the second presidential debate, shows Romney with 50% support to President Obama’s 47%. Two percent (2%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

A week ago, Romney led 49% to 47% in Virginia. Prior to this survey, the candidates have been within two points or less of each other in every survey here since April.

Ninety-four percent (94%) of likely voters in the Old Dominion say they are certain to vote in this election. Among these voters, Romney leads 52% to 47%.

Among the 88% of voters in the state who say they’ve already decided whom they will vote for, it’s Romney 51%, Obama 49%.

Romney has small leads among both male and female voters in the state. Voters not affiliated with either of the major political parties prefer the Republican challenger by a modest 49% to 45% margin.

Virginia voters trust Romney more to handle the economy by five points, 50% to 45%. They are almost evenly divided when it comes to whom they trust more in the area of national security, giving the president a 48% to 47% edge. This is comparable to findings among all voters nationwide.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on October 18, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of Virginia voters are now excited about the choice between Obama and Romney, but 28% say they will simply be voting for the lesser of two evils. That’s more enthusiasm for the candidates than voters have nationally.

Regardless of whom they support, 51% of the voters in the state think the president is most likely to win next month. Forty percent (40%) expect Romney to come out on top.

Romney has a slight edge when voters are asked whom they would rather get advice from if faced with the toughest decisions of their life. Forty-nine percent (49%) would turn to the GOP hopeful, 44% to Obama.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of the voters in the state now rate their personal finances as good or excellent. Nine percent (9%) describe their finances as poor. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say those finances are getting better, while 32% believe they are getting worse.

Romney is viewed favorably by 52% of Virginia voters and unfavorably by 48%. This includes 36% with a Very Favorable opinion of the former Massachusetts governor and 33% with a Very Unfavorable one.

Obama became the first Democrat to carry Virginia since 1964 when he won the state by a 53% to 46% margin in 2008. Now 47% of the state’s voters approve of the job he is doing, while 53% disapprove. This includes 31% who Strongly Approve and Strong Disapproval from 44%.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Virginia was conducted on October 18, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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